When midnight struck Monday and colleges were able to start directly contacting prospects in the 2028 recruiting class for the first time, there was one school that top-five overall prospect Tyzon Swann wanted to hear from most: Ohio State.
“That was the school I was waiting for,” Swann said. “I kind of favor this school.”
Ohio State wasted no time reaching out to Swann on Monday, and just one day later, Swann was in Columbus for Ohio State’s high school football camp on Tuesday. The five-star defensive end’s opinion of Ohio State only became more favorable after he spent the afternoon working out at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and learning from Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson.
“It was a great experience being here,” Swann said. “Getting to learn from the best, Coach J; getting to learn from (defensive coordinator Matt Patricia). It felt great.”
Swann, who traveled to Columbus on Tuesday as part of the Maryland-based Fast Track Recruits bus tour, has had a busy month visiting schools all over the country, including Alabama, LSU, USC and Michigan, with a trip to Penn State planned on Wednesday. Having already participated in camps with many of college football’s top programs, Swann said what stood out about camping at Ohio State was the way the players were coached.
“Just the work and the effort they want to see, they're pushing you to be great like their players,” Swann said. “Every drill we did out there, their players do, so that shows that they want us to be the best.”
Swann previously visited Ohio State in October for the Buckeyes’ home game against Minnesota, receiving his offer from Ohio State that same weekend. The top-ranked defensive lineman and No. 5 overall prospect in 247Sports’ composite rankings for the 2028 class, Swann said Ohio State’s culture and the love he felt from the community stood out to him during his previous visit, and he felt that again on Tuesday.
Ohio State has long stood out to Swann because of Johnson, who was a legendary high school coach in Maryland – starting his coaching career at Lackey High School, the same school Swann attends – before moving into the college ranks. Swann sees Johnson as college football’s best defensive line coach.
“Being able to come here and learn from him, knowing he's from my area, he's a legend around there, it feels great,” Swann said. “I get to take home stuff from the best defensive line coach in the country.”
Swann says he’s also enjoyed watching Ohio State’s defensive stars over the years, including Chase Young, Nick Bosa, Jack Sawyer, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles and current defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. Young, in particular, is an inspiration for Swann as a fellow Maryland product.
“Just watching him and then being able to come here, it feels surreal to me,” Swann said.
Swann posted a mind-blowing stat line at Lackey High School as a sophomore, recording 135 total tackles with 50 tackles for loss, 16 sacks and eight forced fumbles. He wants to make those numbers even bigger as a junior, setting goals of 160 tackles, 25 sacks and 10 forced fumbles for the 2026 season, while he also hopes to earn state defensive player of the year honors.
Swann, who plays both defensive end and tackle for Lackey, has added 20 pounds to his frame since last year, measuring in at 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds on Tuesday, which he believes gives him the versatility to play both outside and inside at the collegiate level.
Swann says he hopes to return to Ohio State for a game this fall and plans to make an official visit to OSU next summer.
Ohio State will have plenty of competition for Swann. He already has offers from more than 40 schools and says Florida, Alabama and Auburn are among the other schools standing out to him. With two years of high school still to go, he doesn’t expect to make a college decision until July or August 2027. That said, Johnson and Ohio State have done everything they’ve needed to do so far to emerge as an early favorite in his recruitment.
Additional notes from Tuesday’s camp
Swann was one of three five-star prospects from the 2028 class at Ohio State for Tuesday’s camp along with quarterback Donald Tabron II and cornerback Jermaine Cobbins.
Five-star 2028 quarterback Donald Tabron II among today’s campers at Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/fdSyfsLKwF
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) June 16, 2026
Five-star 2028 cornerback Jermaine Cobbins camping at Ohio State today. pic.twitter.com/9QSUcsLCDt
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) June 16, 2026
Other top prospects from the 2028 class at Tuesday’s camp included New Jersey quarterback Lukas Prock, the sixth-ranked QB in 247Sports’ composite rankings, and four-star Pennsylvania athlete Brandon Murphy Jr., a two-way prospect who’s being recruited by some schools as a wide receiver but worked out at defensive back for Ohio State and had a dominant performance that included back-to-back interceptions in one-on-ones.
Four-star 2028 prospect Brandon Murphy, a two-way athlete camping at defensive back, having an impressive showing at Ohio State camp. This was his second straight interception. pic.twitter.com/p0NQMO9crN
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) June 16, 2026
Six additional prospects earned offers at Tuesday’s camp:
- 2029 running back William “Tre” Green III
I am beyond blessed and humbled after a great conversation with @Locklyn33 to receive an offer from The Ohio State University. I would like to thank @ryandaytime, @OhioStateFB, and @coachH2bwill for this incredible opportunity. I am truly grateful for the support and belief in… pic.twitter.com/XU3hRIQxfp
— 4William Tre Green III (@TreGreen29) June 16, 2026
- 2028 tight ends Jordan McKinley and Faraji Tucker
#AGTG ! After a Great Visit, I’m Extremely Blessed to Receive an Offer from THE Ohio State University! Go Buckeyes! @KylieGreenFB @CoachKee @CoachTMort @TomLoy247 @adamgorney @GregSmithRivals @SWiltfong_ @AllenTrieu pic.twitter.com/loHBkkSfgv
— Jordan McKinley (@Jordan1Mckinley) June 16, 2026
Blessed to receive an offer from The Ohio State University! @CoachKee @CoachTMort @CoachDDudley @CoachJTW @DeshawnBrownInc @TEAMTOARECRUITS pic.twitter.com/l23BoOLyMa
— Faraji Tucker (@FarajiTucker2) June 16, 2026
- 2029 defensive end Ezarian Fields
After a amazing day of getting coached up by @R2X_Rushmen1 I am blessed to receive an offer from @OhioStateFB @MickensJay @TheProtectUCrew @chasek_52 @JayArnoldTX@coachgcross @ShaunWynn10 @gott1906 @vypehouston @NxgnCamps @NSNationFB @RecruitEastside @PrepRedzone @Rivals pic.twitter.com/OQjcqLo48Q
— Ezarian Fields (@ezarian_fields) June 16, 2026
- 2028 three-star linebacker Reagan Smith
#AGTG After a great camp and conversation with @JLaurinaitis55 I’m extremely blessed and grateful to have earned an offer from THE Ohio State University!! #GoBucks@ryandaytime @CoachDDudley @Birm @CoachCD20 @Coach_Hill2 @FACEONETRAINING @WeissFootball @sixstarfootball… pic.twitter.com/vwAA49APG5
— Reagan Smith (@Reagan_smith23) June 16, 2026
- 2029 defensive back Richard Allen IV
After a great camp and an even greater conversation with @MattGuerrieri. I am beyond blessed and grateful to receive an offer from THE Ohio State University. #fight #coachedbyplez#dbhigh pic.twitter.com/MAtEcnsn3I
— Richard Allen IV (@richallen_iv) June 16, 2026
Other members of the Fast Track Recruits bus tour who joined Swann at Ohio State on Tuesday included four-star defensive tackle Tyrone Elee, the younger brother of five-star Maryland freshman defensive end Zion Elee, and four-star safety DeNairo Girton Jr.
